Pait Pooja

Restaurant: Pait Pooja

Location: G11 Markaz, Islamabad

Rating: 4/5

Items and Pricing:

1. Cheese Mushroom Omelette - Rs 170

2. Plain Paratha -Rs 70

3. Chicken Jalapeño Cheese Paratha - Rs 330

Islamabad has had its fair share in housing numerous traditional restaurants that have a diverse and flavorful menu to choose from. These places serve fresh desi food to satisfy any customer’s longing appetite throughout the course of the day, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. So, what sets Pait Pooja apart from the rest of the pack?

Starting off with the visuals of the place; located in the underground world of the crowded G-11 Markaz, the exterior of the restaurant is not as inviting as the name would deem it to be. Once visitors make their way into the seated area, however, Pait Pooja greets them with the aesthetics of a fancy Dhaba that was somehow sleek at the same time. The tables and chairs were made out of wood that was each interwoven over one another, much like bamboo sticks put together intricately to grace customers with a comfortable place to eat.

The cheese mushroom omelette promises customers two beaten eggs packed with melted cheese and sprinkled with mushrooms. Priced at rupees 170, the omelette succeeded to deliver on its promise and more. Upon first glance, the omelette amounted to the thick proportions of a standard, rich cheese omelette. The cheese oozed out of the meal and into the plate, forming a pool of melted, appetizing goodness. The eggs were cooked to perfection, maintaining a fluffy and light texture. Once the cheese followed, it added a gooey balance to the meticulously fried eggs. The hints of mushrooms, although detected, failed to punch through and add an extra layer of flavour to the meal. The plain paratha, priced at rupees 70, formed the perfect pairing to the omelette. Its golden-brown hue, coupled with the crispy ridges immediately trigger the appetite and leave you wanting seconds. The layered interior of the paratha as it is pulled apart serves customers as evidence of the extra efforts put in by the chef.

The fluffy Cheese Mushroom Omelette pairs well with the crispiness of the Plain Paratha

Finally, the chicken jalapeño cheese paratha, a menu item that guarantees customers a crispy paratha, is filled with chicken, jalapeño and is loaded with cheese. Served with chutney side dips, the paratha creates a multiflavored experience for the customer. The pull-apart paratha forms strings of melted cheese and is generous with its amount of chicken and jalapeños. Priced at rupees 330, the item checks the boxes on all that it guarantees. The tenderness of the chicken, coupled with the spicy kick that is introduced by the chillies deems the item an absolute bargain given its price.

Pait Pooja offers customers a variety of fulfilling desi food under the 600 rupee mark.

People can receive a similar food experience at places such as Quetta Tea and Paratha at F-10 Markaz. While their menu of parathas is much more diverse than that of Pait Pooja’s, the serving for the same price at Pait Pooja is greater in comparison. A plain omelette and paratha at "Quetta Tea and Paratha" come at the cost of rupees 230. 240 rupees at Pait Pooja could get customers a paratha and omelette filled with cheese.

More importantly, traditional games such as ludo and chutes and ladders were also on display, welcoming customers not only to a fulfilling meal under the 600-rupee price mark, but also to enjoy their visit and create new memories with friends. Pait Pooja receives a well-deserved rating of 4 out 5 stars for flavorful menu items, serving and generous pricing.